The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026

The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026

From 1 April 2026, the Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) will become a permanent waiver for eligible Service personnel (SP) and outdated waivers based on marriage and age will be retired.

First introduced in March 2024 the DAW was designed to support home ownership and replace older SLA waivers. The DAW supports eligible SP to use Single Living Accommodation (SLA) free of charge, providing they maintain a separate home elsewhere in the UK.

What are the key changes from 1 April 2026?

• Enduring Policy: On 1 April 2026 the DAW will go from a temporary waiver to a permanent waiver, ensuring long-term support for eligible Service personnel.

• Removal of outdated Waivers: Waivers for SLA charges based on marital status and age will be retired, promoting fairness and consistency. Regular and Full Time Reserve Services Full Commitment (FTRS FC) Service Personnel receiving outdated waivers will automatically go onto DAW – no action needed.

• Updated Eligibility Criteria: To ensure efficient use of SLA, eligibility rules have been updated. Service personnel must maintain a UK home outside daily commuting distance, and provide annual evidence to HR.

• New Applicants: If you are not currently using DAW but believe you are eligible, please contact your Unit HR directly.

• Full eligibility details are set out in latest news on Defence accommodation policy - GOV.UK

New Travel Credit Scheme

New Travel Credit Scheme – helping you reunite with loved ones this Christmas

A new one-off Travel Credit Scheme will help Service personnel get home to family and friends during the festive season and months that follow.

From 8 December, eligible personnel can claim for support with the cost of either road or rail travel for a return journey home. The new scheme extends the existing Get You Home (Early Years) provision.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“When I came into office, I promised to renew our nation’s contract with those who serve us. That is why this government is improving homes for heroes, delivering the biggest military pay rise in a generation and enshrining the new Armed Forces Covenant in law to properly represent our forces community.

“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices, and I know how important being with family is, and that is why today we’re announcing extra travel support for service personnel to be with their loved ones this Christmas.”

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep our country safe. Helping them get home to their families for Christmas is the least we can do to support them.

“In this new era of threat, the strength of our defence lies in the serving men and women of our forces. Having already awarded the biggest military pay rise in 20 years and launched a big new strategy to renew military housing, this Government is proudly putting our Forces First.”

Who’s eligible to receive payment

Bovington/Blandford: Coworking hub free virtual events Tues 9th Dec

 

Are you a military spouse/partner looking to connect with others? Please join us online.

Virtual Coworking

Tuesday 9th December 2025

9:30am – 12

Book club

Tuesday 9th December 2025

7:30pm - 9pm

To book onto our events and find out more about our Bovington hub opposite the medical centre please visit:

https://www.militarycoworking.uk/events

We'd love to see you there

Also if they would like to book a free trial at our Bovington MCN hub the link is Bovington | Military Coworking Network

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

North Wiltshire: Upcoming Elf on the Shelf Library events

Please visit the Family Hub Wiltshire Council Facebook page to stay up to date and to see what else is on in Melksham, Bradford-on-Avon, etc.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Wiltshire: Family and Community Learning - Discovering Confidence - Online - Tuesday 6th January

Information provided by South West HIVE Hub

Wiltshire: Family and Community Learning - Balance Your Budget Online Course - Tuesday 6th January

Information provided by South West HIVE Hub

Stafford: Upbeat Families Help Us Name Our Upbeat Giraffe!!

Do you attend our Stafford Upbeat sessions at The HIVE?

We have a brand-new cuddly giraffe who needs a name—and we want YOUR little one’s creative ideas! 😁

Enter our Giraffe Naming Competition, kindly sponsored by David Wilson Homes, for a chance to win a special prize and help our giraffe find its forever name.

How to enter:
1️⃣ Think of the perfect Giraffe name
2️⃣ Share your child’s idea with us by filling out our competition form (available from The HIVE ) or DM us
3️⃣ Stay tuned for the big reveal at the 16th December Upbeat session at The HIVE

We are sorry to say that this is only open to the families who attend the Stafford sessions due to the sponsorship.

Information provided: Central HIVE Hub

Northern Ireland: Key Dates for Applying for Post Primary Year 8 School Places for September 2026

 

Key Dates for Year 8 Admissions

- Admission Criteria Published: 10 December 2025

- Post-Primary Applications Open: 27 January 2026

- Application Deadline: 19 February 2026

For full guidance and details, visit: https://ow.ly/oLcs50XA0Kn

Information provided by HIVE NI

Catterick: Garrison Welfare/Contact House

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 04 December 25

Tackling Damp and Mould 

Over the last few years we have made substantial progress in tackling damp and mould that has been reported to us. Condensation is usually the biggest cause of damp within homes, and we know this often increases in colder months of the year. There are 4 key steps that you can take to prevent condensation, damp and mould in your home. 

Please read our helpful guide to preventing condensation, damp and mould in your homes here. 

 

Report it  

If you discover damp and mould, including any recurring issues, please report it straight away so that we can resolve the issue promptly. You can do this in the following ways:  

 

• Complete the dedicated Damp and Mould report form on the Pinnacle website.  

• Call Pinnacle on 0800 0318628, selecting option 1, then option 4.  

• Chat to Pinnacle online, you can do this by selecting the chat option on Pinnacle website.  

 

Our commitment   

Awaab’s Law, which took effect in October 2025, requires social landlords to address all damp and mould hazards within fixed timeframes. While we are not bound by this legislation, DIO has voluntarily committed to upholding the standards expected of a responsible landlord and our response times to damp and mould reports in UK SFA have been adjusted.  

 

When you contact Pinnacle, our teams will assess the severity of the problem, on a scale from level 1 to 5, with 5 considered the most severe. Pinnacle will then coordinate with Amey/VIVO to begin their investigation to address the issue.  

 

• Levels 1-3: Amey/VIVO will respond within 10 working days.  
• Levels 4-5 (highest priority): Amey/VIVO will respond within 48 hours, and families will be offered temporary accommodation during the investigation.  

 

If we cannot fully complete the required work after investigation, we will provide the family with a written summary within three days, outlining completed tasks and any remaining work.  

If you have any queries related to damp and mould, please contact Pinnacle on 0800 031 8628. You can find further information about seasonal safety advice on Defence Homes.